As if the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough, another epidemic has hit India.
Photo via Times of India
Though the epidemic is nowhere near Malaysia, we all should know how to protect ourselves from a serious fungal infection that has suddenly boomed and has increased the number of infections.
According to Dr. Gaurav Malik at Max Dental Care, the Black Fungus infection has been declared as an epidemic and a notifiable disease in some states of India.
What is Black Fungus?
Black Fungus also called Mucormycosis is a disease caused by fungi belonging to the fungal family ‘Mucorales’. These fungi generally infect people with an impaired immune system.
Who is most likely to get this infection?
Black fungus is commonly being observed in patients:
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Suffering from COVID-19 and who were treated with steroids for a long time (steroids increases blood sugar)
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Who has been suffering from uncontrolled diabetes. Escalated blood sugar levels is one of the main reasons for fungus to multiply
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Who have been hospitalised for a long time (making them more prone to getting exposed to the fungal spores)
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Who were on oxygen support or ventilators (people undergoing oxygen therapy in ICU, where a humidifier is used, are more at risk due to exposure to moisture as fungi grows in such conditions)
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Poor hospital hygiene (increases the chances of getting infected)
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With weakened immune system due to overuse of antibiotics and/or steroids
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With cuts on skin from surgeries, transplants and burns
Is Black Fungus contagious and how does it spread?
Photo via ORF
The disease is not contagious and doesn’t spread from one person to another.
It lives throughout the environment and their spores are present in the air, particularly in soil and in association with decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles and animal dung.
They are more common in soil than air and in summer and fall than in winter or spring. Most people come in contact with these microscopic fungal spores every day so it’s probably impossible to completely come in contact with mucormycetes.
These fungi aren’t harmful to most people, however, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in mucormycete spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of Black Fungus?
The prime symptom of the black fungus includes:
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Discoloration of the oral tissues, tongue, gums
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Loosening of the teeth
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Stuffy nose
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Sinuses
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Severe pain in teeth, cheek and eyes
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Swelling of the face
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Heaviness below the eyes
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Discomfort
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Fever
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Headache
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Pulmonary mucormycosis: fever, cough, chest pain, pleural effusion, hemoptysis, worsening of respiratory symptoms
What are the treatments of the black fungus?
Photo via Everyday Health
If not treated on time, the black fungus infection can be fatal.
The medical treatment for mucormycosis ranges from 6 to 12 weeks and is sometimes associated with adverse effects. It has to be treated medically and surgically.
Surgery is very important in severe cases because the black fungus has to be completely scraped off and healthy tissue should be seen.
How to prevent it?
We can prevent the “deadly” black fungus with good oral hygiene!
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Maintain oral hygiene: If you’ve just recovered from COVID, the intake of steroids and other medication enables the bacteria or fungus in the mouth to grow and cause a problem in the sinus, lungs and even brain. Taking care of your mouth by brushing twice or even thrice a day can help exceedingly.
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Oral rinsing: Maintaining good oral hygiene post COVID-19 recovery is a must for patients to protect themselves from the effect of the disease. Remember to change your toothbrush once you’ve tested negative!
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Disinfecting toothbrush and tongue cleaner: A COVID recovered patient should have a separate brush holder from the rest of the family members. Clean your brush and tongue cleaner regularly using an antiseptic mouthwash.
COVID-19 patients are more susceptible to this fungal infection, so awareness about this deadly disease is very important!
Take care of yourself and stay healthy.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
